Bit9, a Waltham-based provider of advanced threat protection for endpoints and servers, this week announced it has merged with Carbon Black, a Texas-based security company. Carbon Black has an architecture that enables rapid installation on every enterprise endpoint and server and delivers "incident response in seconds," Bit9 stated in a press release. The combined entity, which retains the Bit9 name, is the only company that prevents and detects advanced threats on endpoints and servers and provides incident response in seconds, the press release continued. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Bit9 also announced it has raised $38.2 million to fuel the combined companies’ growth.

Marlborough mall to host Book Blast

Simon Kidgits Club at the Solomon Pond Mall is hosting its free annual Book Blast event on Feb. 17 and inviting parents and children to bring books to life through special read-aloud sessions, giveaways and story-inspired activities. Event activities kick off with a read-aloud session presented by Karen Webber, editor of Worcester Telegram & Gazette, and Marlborough Mayor Arthur Vigeant, scheduled from 1 to 3 p.m. Children are also invited to bring a new or gently used book to the event to be donated to Big Hearted Books. Plus, there will be a reading of "Pete’s A Pizza" while Kidgits make their own Pizzeria Regina’s pizza to take home and bake. Customize and decorate a library tote bag with the Kidgits Members first initial, and make your own bookmark and candy bingo (while supplies last). Finn from the Worcester Sharks will also make a special appearance. Additionally, Simon is teaming up with Better World Books to provide each child who attends the event a "pre-loved" book and bookmark to take home. The mall is at 601 Donald Lynch Blvd., Marlborough.

Marlborough chamber to hold networking event

The Marlborough Regional Chamber of Commerce hosts its Third Friday Eye Opener Networking event on Feb. 21 from 8 to 9 a.m. in the chamber conference room, 11 Florence St., Marlborough. For more information, call the chamber at 508-485-7746.

Natick’s Century 21 Commonwealth wins Gold

Natick-based Century 21 Commonwealth this week announced that Cartus Broker Network has named it a 2014 Gold Award winner. The recognition is one of three Excellence Awards presented to Cartus members for demonstrating exceptional results in customer service and cost management as well as effective analysis and marketing of homes during 2013. The Cartus Broker Network International Conference and awards ceremony will be held in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., from Feb. 25-28. Century 21 Commonwealth has 17 offices in Massachusetts. They are in Cambridge, Dover, Framingham, Franklin, Hopkinton, Medfield, Milford, Natick, Needham, Newton, Somerville, Wakefield, Waltham, Watertown, Wellesley, Westwood and Winchester. Cartus is a network of more than 811 real estate firms representing approximately 3,000 offices and more than 109,000 agents.

Page 2 of 2 - New Horizons earns two national awards

Two national organizations that collect consumer ratings recently recognized New Horizons at Marlborough for providing top-tier service in independent and assisted living for senior citizens. Caring.com presented the not-for-profit retirement community with its Caring Stars 2014 award. This recognition is bestowed upon the top 1 percent of assisted living communities nationwide, based on consumer ratings and reviews posted on Caring.com. In addition, New Horizons received SeniorAdvisor.com’s Excellence Award, as a result of its consistently high ratings from residents and their families in 2013. SeniorAdvisor.com is a consumer reviews website established by A Place for Mom, the nation’s largest senior living referral service, as a way for seniors and their families to share feedback on senior living communities and services. The award identifies the top communities that have received an overall average rating of at least 4.5 stars (out of a possible 5) on the site.

College Advisor of N.E. to offer free seminar

The College Advisor of New England Inc. offers a free, one-day college seminar on March 4 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in its Holliston office at 747 Washington St. The seminar is open to parents of college-bound sophomores and juniors who are interested in learning more about strategies to help their child maximize their college options. Anyone interested in attending should RSVP by Feb. 28 by emailing Raul@college-advisor.com. For more information, visit college-advisor.com.